Sinisa Mihajlovic's fight against leukemia continues to inspire Bologna, which has surprisingly surged into second place three rounds into Serie A.
The coach was absent from a 4-3 comeback win over 10-man Brescia on Sunday but his halftime speech via telephone made a resounding impact.
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Sinisa Mihajlovic's fight against leukemia continues to inspire Bologna, which has surprisingly surged into second place three rounds into Serie A.
Brescia led 3-1 at the break with a brace from Alfredo Donnarumma but Daniela Dessena was sent off after a dive early in the second half. Palacio then started the comeback, which was followed by an own-goal from Brescia's Stefano Sabelli and the winner from Riccardo Orsolini.
Bologna is two points behind perfect Inter Milan and ahead of eight-time defending champion Juventus on goals scored (six to five).
While he has been receiving chemotherapy, Mihajlovic surprised his squad by traveling to the season opener at Hellas Verona, which ended 1-1.
Brescia is still without Mario Balotelli, who is serving a four-match ban from last season in the French league.
Bryan Cristante, Edin Dzeko, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Justin Kluivert each scored before halftime with a trio of assists from Lorenzo Pellegrini.
"We're playing like this thanks to his mentality. At the end of the first half he transmitted his anger to us," Bologna forward Rodrigo Palacio said. "In the second half we came out with the necessary desire and a great mentality."
Brescia's Ales Mateju, right, and Bologna's Riccardo Orsolini vie for the ball during a Serie A soccer match between Brescia and Bologna at the Rigamonti stadium in Brescia, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. (Simone VeneziaANSA via AP)
Brescia led 3-1 at the break with a brace from Alfredo Donnarumma but Daniela Dessena was sent off after a dive early in the second half. Palacio then started the comeback, which was followed by an own-goal from Brescia's Stefano Sabelli and the winner from Riccardo Orsolini.
Mattia Bani scored Bologna's opening goal and Andrea Cistana scored Brescia's third.
It's the first time Bologna has gained seven points from its opening three matches in 17 years.
Roma's Henrikh Mkhitaryan, front, controls the ball during a Serie A soccer match between Roma and Sassuolo, in Rome, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia)
Bologna is two points behind perfect Inter Milan and ahead of eight-time defending champion Juventus on goals scored (six to five).
Torino can extend its perfect start against promoted Lecce on Monday.
In the previous round, Bologna beat Spal 1-0 with an injury-time goal from Roberto Soriano.
Roma's Bryan Cristante, left, and teammate Roma's Lorenzo Pellegrini, right, vie for the ball with Sassuolo's Gregoire Defrel during a Serie A soccer match between Roma and Sassuolo, in Rome, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia)
While he has been receiving chemotherapy, Mihajlovic surprised his squad by traveling to the season opener at Hellas Verona, which ended 1-1.
Mihajlovic was rehired by Bologna in January to replace Filippo Inzaghi and engineered a complete turnaround for a team that was fighting off relegation, leading the club to a 10th place finish.
When Mihajlovic announced in July that he had an acute form of leukemia, the club said it would still keep him in charge.
Roma's Justin Kluivert celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during a Serie A soccer match between Roma and Sassuolo, in Rome, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia)
Brescia is still without Mario Balotelli, who is serving a four-match ban from last season in the French league.
ROMA ROMPS
Roma earned its first win under new coach Paulo Fonseca with a four-goal outburst in the first half of a 4-2 victory over Sassuolo.
Brescia's Mario Balotelli talks on a phone as he sits with teammate Ernesto Torregrossa, left, during a Serie A soccer match between Brescia and Bologna at the Rigamonti stadium in Brescia, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. (Simone VeneziaANSA via AP)
Bryan Cristante, Edin Dzeko, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Justin Kluivert each scored before halftime with a trio of assists from Lorenzo Pellegrini.
Domenico Berardi then pulled two back for Sassuolo after the break.
Mkhitaryan scored on debut after being loaned from Arsenal with his first shot on goal, an accurate angled drive.
Brescia's Alfredo Donnarumma celebrates after scoring during a Serie A soccer match between Brescia and Bologna at the Rigamonti stadium in Brescia, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. (Simone VeneziaANSA via AP)
OTHER RESULTS
Atalanta warmed up for its Champions League debut with a last-ditch 2-1 win at Genoa courtesy of Duvan Zapata's strike five minutes into stoppage time. Having finished a club-record third last season, Atalanta opens the elite European competition at Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday.
An injury-time winner from Jasmin Kurtic helped Spal to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over visiting Lazio.
Also, defender Luca Ceppitelli scored twice for Cagliari in a 3-1 victory at Parma.
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